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2013 -- S 0576 SUBSTITUTE B | |
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LC01219/SUB B | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
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IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
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JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013 | |
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A N A C T | |
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RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE | |
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FOR COMBAT VETERANS | |
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Introduced By: Senators Lynch, Felag, Bates, Ottiano, and Jabour | |
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Date Introduced: February 28, 2013 | |
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Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs | |
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It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
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SECTION 1. Title 30 of the General Laws entitled "MILITARY AFFAIRS AND |
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DEFENSE" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
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CHAPTER 30.2 |
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EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMBAT VETERANS |
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30-30.2-1. Short title. – This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Education |
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Assistance For Combat Veterans Act." |
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30-30.2-2. Statement of purpose. – It is hereby found and declared as follows: (1) The |
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fundamental freedoms enjoyed by all citizens of our state and these United States are insured in |
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no small part through the honorable service of our nation's military veterans; |
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(2) The people of the state have a deep debt of gratitude for the sacrifices made by these |
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men and women who as combat veterans placed their lives in harm's way to protect and defend |
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our nation from all foreign enemies and terrorist threats; and |
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(3) These men and women should be allowed to resume their education, receive academic |
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credit commensurate with their military training and experience, graduate, and ultimately obtain |
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meaningful civilian employment upon their return to Rhode Island without delay. |
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30-30.2-3. Academic credit for military training and coursework. – The state board of |
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education shall ensure: |
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(1) Enrolled students are awarded education credits based upon their military training or |
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service when academically appropriate; and |
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(2) Establishment of a preferential class registration process for all state institutions, |
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which shall be reviewed and approved by the board of education to allow combat veterans to |
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register first for all classes at any state-run institution of higher education. In developing rules and |
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regulations, the office of the commissioner of higher education, in consultation with the adjutant |
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general of the Rhode Island national guard, shall determine individual preference ranking among |
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combat veterans, including, but not limited to, the number of combat tours served, service |
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awards, and any other such criteria deemed appropriate by the adjutant general. |
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC01219/SUB B | |
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EXPLANATION | |
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BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
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OF | |
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A N A C T | |
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RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE | |
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FOR COMBAT VETERANS | |
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This act would establish various veteran-friendly educational programs for all state |
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institutions in order to allow service personnel returning from a combat tour to achieve |
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educational attainment in an accelerated manner. |
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This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC01219/SUB B | |
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